The Queen and Edmure

[Tallahar]

Lord Dawnrose approached the tent of the Queen after the first day of riding south. Looking at the guards he gave them a nod, "I wish to see the Queen, if she will accept me."

[Marie]

Edmure was allowed inside, the flood of petitioners having slowed down a bit.

Having got a bit more settled into her role, Rhaenys had set the guards to be men in Targaryen livery from among the survivors who'd served her mother. She had decided to keep one of her three personal guards at her side all the time, and that meant inside the tent. Today she was accompanied by her cousin Maekar, with her maid Consuela and squire Albar also in attendance. All of them were swathed in fur cloaks and it was noticeable that Consuela, a woman of Sothorys, was shivering.

"Good evening, Lord Dawnrose," Rhaenys said with a smile. "Albar, pour hot spiced wine for our guest, and refill our own goblets."

"Yes, Your Grace," the boy said, looking little a furry bear as he got to his feet to bow.

While Albar busied himself, Rhaenys beckoned Edmure to a seat.

"What can we do for you, Lord Dawnrose?"

[Tallahar]

"The Lord Hand has ordered that the Mander and the Dornish be given the honor of riding with the yourself and the your sister Your Grace. I have come to ask on the other lords if there is anything that your desire us to know or understand."

[Marie]

"Tell the lords that I will watch them closely, and have my people do the same. The time has come to consider my Small Council and Queensguard. I will be looking to see who is is most competent in the arts of diplomacy and war, and who are the most skilled swordsmen."

Albar handed Edmure his drink while Rhaenys was speaking.

"Have you any suggestions with regard to the above, Lord Dawnrose?"

[Tallahar]

Edmure held the drink warming cold hands, it looked odd because of the two missing fingers on his left hand. "So you plan to build your councilors in the same manner as your ancestors. With that the realm has been through I though you might desire it changed."

[Marie]

She raised an eyebrow at him.

"I don't wish to turn everything entirely on its head, Lord Dawnrose, but tell me what you have in mind."

[Tallahar]

"People and Lords do not need to be ruled they need to be helped. It has been winter in westeros for close to ten years we have nothing to trade with very little to feed families everything it in short supply. I would set up a system of lords or governors that would deal with this matters. A Lord Paramount already has some of this power but not enough."

[Marie]

She looked at him, interested.

"Would you be willing to serve in this capacity yourself? No man should suggest anything of the nature that he is unwilling to see through."

[Tallahar]

"I would but it would help little my family were once powerful Lords in the Mander now I am not. I hold Dawnrose Keep with all claim to Highgarden halted by the Oakhearts."

[Marie]

"Very well. Can you draw up a proposal for me to consider with my Hand and Small Council, once it has been formed?"

[Tallahar]

"I shall do as you desire Your Grace." Edmure took a drink of the wine.

[Marie]

"Good. Is there anything else you need?"

[Tallahar]

Edmure finally sighed, "Your Grace you may not know my families history but I must ask. Are you planning on keeping the Lord Paramounts as they are in your rule or will you be changing some."

[Marie]

Are there no end to the questions my lords ask?

"I haven't decided yet," she said. "I might change one or two but it depends who is most loyal to me in each region."

[Tallahar]

Edmure nodded, "Thank you, Your Grace. I shall go and check on the sentry's then retire for the night." Edmure stood and bowed and then left.